1. 1 Watchmen in Zion “I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; They shall never hold their peace day or night.” (Isaiah 62:6)

2. 2 Weather alertsWeather alerts Storm spottersStorm spotters Alarm systemAlarm system Early warning is essential to saving lives! 2

3. 3 Watchmen in Zion Watchmen today?Watchmen today? –Should there be? –If so, who are they? What is their work & our reaction to their work?What is their work & our reaction to their work? Is it scriptural to describe Christians as watchmen?Is it scriptural to describe Christians as watchmen?

4. 4 Watchmen in the OT Learning – Rom. 15:4Learning – Rom. 15:4 Wise unto salvation – 2 Tim. 3:15Wise unto salvation – 2 Tim. 3:15 Examples that teach & warn – 1 Cor. 10:6-12Examples that teach & warn – 1 Cor. 10:6-12

5. 5 Watch & Report 2 Sam. 18:24Watch & Report 2 Sam. 18:24 Assess & Warn 2 Sam. 18:25-27 2 Kgs. 9:17-20Assess & Warn 2 Sam. 18:25-27 2 Kgs. 9:17-20 5

6. 6 “My servants the prophets” Announced fall of nations Isa. 21:6-12Announced fall of nations Isa. 21:6-12 Warned Israel Jer. 6:17Warned Israel Jer. 6:17 Ezekiel Ezek. 3:17; 33:7Ezekiel Ezek. 3:17; 33:7 WATCHMEN 6

7. 7 Watchmen who would not warn (Ezek. 3:18, 20; 33:8) 7 “His watchmen are blind, they are all without knowledge; they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber.” – Isaiah 56:10

8. 8 8 8 Watchmen on the Walls of Zion Church of Christ Heb. 12:22-23; Gal. 4:25-26Church of Christ Heb. 12:22-23; Gal. 4:25-26 Do not be silent Isa. 62:1-2, 6-7Do not be silent Isa. 62:1-2, 6-7 Gospel of salvation Isa. 52:7-10; Rom. 10:14-17Gospel of salvation Isa. 52:7-10; Rom. 10:14-17

9. 9 Watchmen in the Church Watch – 1 Cor. 16:13Watch – 1 Cor. 16:13 –Alertness – Matt. 24:42-44; 1 Ths. 5:6; 1 Pet. 5:8; Rev. 3:2-3 –For souls – Matt. 26:41; Eph. 6:18 –Specific watchmen? (Isa. 52:7- 8; 62:6) Yes! Ephesians 4:11-16Yes! Ephesians 4:11-16

10. 10 Watchmen in Zion: Apostles & Prophets Delivered gospel – Jude 3Delivered gospel – Jude 3 Announced salvation & warned of sin – Acts 20:20- 21, 30-31Announced salvation & warned of sin – Acts 20:20- 21, 30-31 Continue to function through the gospel – Col. 1:28-29Continue to function through the gospel – Col. 1:28-29 Held responsible if they didn’t! – Gal. 2:11-14Held responsible if they didn’t! – Gal. 2:11-14

11. 11 Watchmen in Zion: Evangelists Preach the word – 2 Tim. 4:2Preach the word – 2 Tim. 4:2 –Isa. 52:7-8 …… Rom. 10:14-15 –Warn & teach, 1 Tim. 1:3; 4:6, 16 –Watch for souls, 2 Tim. 2:24-26 Be watchful – 2 Tim. 4:5Be watchful – 2 Tim. 4:5 Held responsible – 1 Tim. 4: 16Held responsible – 1 Tim. 4: 16

12. 12 Watchmen in Zion: Pastors (Elders) Watch for souls – Heb. 13:17Watch for souls – Heb. 13:17 Work described – Acts 20:28Work described – Acts 20:28 When silent, souls devoured! – Acts 20:29-31When silent, souls devoured! – Acts 20:29-31 –Shall they “hold their peace” (Isa. 62:6)? Give account – Heb. 13:17Give account – Heb. 13:17

13. 13 Watchmen in Zion: Teachers Equip students with God’s saving word – Matt. 28:19-20Equip students with God’s saving word – Matt. 28:19-20 –Teach God’s warnings, 2 Tim. 2:24-26 –Save lost, Rom. 1:15; 2 Tim. 2:2 –Aquila & Priscilla, Acts 18:26 Held responsible – Jas. 3:1Held responsible – Jas. 3:1

14. 14 Watchmen in Zion: Every Christian Watch for spiritual dangers – 1 Pet. 5:8; 2 Cor. 2:11Watch for spiritual dangers – 1 Pet. 5:8; 2 Cor. 2:11 Help restore fallen – Gal. 6:1Help restore fallen – Gal. 6:1 Pray for all – Eph. 6:18Pray for all – Eph. 6:18 “What I say to you, I say to all: Watch!” (Mk. 13:37)

15. 15 A Call For Watchmen Who Will Watch & Warn Against worldliness – 1 Jno. 2:15-17 (Eph. 5:3-12)Against worldliness – 1 Jno. 2:15-17 (Eph. 5:3-12) –Immodest dress, social drinking, dancing, profane speech, ungodly entertainment, etc. –Will we be watchmen in Zion, or blind watchmen & dumb dogs? (Isa. 56:10)

16. 16 A Call For Watchmen Who Will Watch & Warn Against doctrinal error – Jude 3 (Gal. 1:6-7)Against doctrinal error – Jude 3 (Gal. 1:6-7) –MDR errors, fellowship, work of the church, plan of salvation (1 Tim. 4:1) –Will we be watchmen in Zion, or blind watchmen & dumb dogs? (Isa. 56:10)

17. 17 A Call For Watchmen Who Will Watch & Warn Against compromise with error – 2 Cor. 11:3-4; Gal. 2:5; Eph. 5:3, 11; 1 Cor. 15:33Against compromise with error – 2 Cor. 11:3-4; Gal. 2:5; Eph. 5:3, 11; 1 Cor. 15:33 –Unity in moral & doctrinal diversity (2 Cor. 6:14-18) –Will we be watchmen in Zion, or blind watchmen & dumb dogs? (Isa. 56:10)

18. 18 A Call For Watchmen Who Will Watch & Warn Against false teachers – 2 Pet. 2:1; Rom. 16:17-18Against false teachers – 2 Pet. 2:1; Rom. 16:17-18 –Are still evil men & imposters deceiving innocent (2 Tim. 3:13) –Will we be watchmen in Zion, or blind watchmen & dumb dogs? (Isa. 56:10)

19. 19 A Call For Watchmen Who Will Watch & Warn Against divisive, ungodly men – Titus 3:10-11Against divisive, ungodly men – Titus 3:10-11 –Warn, warn & then refuse! –Will we be watchmen in Zion, or blind watchmen & dumb dogs? (Isa. 56:10)

20. 20 A Call For Watchmen Who Will Watch & Warn Against apathy & spiritual indifference – Rev. 3:2-3Against apathy & spiritual indifference – Rev. 3:2-3 –Time to wake up, clean up & grow up! (Rom. 13:11-14) –Will we be watchmen in Zion, or blind watchmen & dumb dogs? (Isa. 56:10)

21. 21 Objections to Watchmen in Zion “Some are trying to control the brotherhood…violate autonomy”“Some are trying to control the brotherhood…violate autonomy” –Paul not so charged, 1 Cor. 4:17 –We should imitate him, 1 Cor. 11:1 –Charged with preaching at all seasons – 2 Tim. 4:2 (1 Tim. 1:3; Titus 1:5) –Word is not bound – 2 Tim. 2:9

22. 22 Objections to Watchmen in Zion “We can’t say one is a false teacher unless his heart is evil”“We can’t say one is a false teacher unless his heart is evil” –Warn against teaching, 2 Pet. 2:1-2 –Test their teaching, 1 Jno. 4:1, 6 –Where have all the false teachers gone? (Matt. 7:15-20) –God’s watchmen will be accused of evil (2 Tim. 2:9; 4:3-5) –“Watchdogs, jingoists, unheroic”

23. 23 Objections to Watchmen in Zion “It is wrong to publicly name men as false teachers”“It is wrong to publicly name men as false teachers” –Was it wrong for Paul? – 1 Tim. 1: 18-20; 2 Tim. 2:16-18 Divisive & ungodly men: 2 Tim. 1:15; 4:10, 14-15; 3 Jno. 9-10Divisive & ungodly men: 2 Tim. 1:15; 4:10, 14-15; 3 Jno. 9-10 Godly, sound men: 3 Jno. 11-12; 2 Tim. 1:16-18; Phil. 2:19-22, 25Godly, sound men: 3 Jno. 11-12; 2 Tim. 1:16-18; Phil. 2:19-22, 25 –Watchmen in Zion take note of false teachers & warn against them! (Rom. 16:17)

24. 24 Objections to Watchmen in Zion “You are just too negative!”“You are just too negative!” –Why are tornado watchmen praised as positive, but spiritual watchmen are vilified as negative? –All balanced gospel work includes both negative & positive – Jer. 1:9- 10; 2 Tim. 4:2 (Gal. 4:16) –Warnings are not pleasant to hear nor easy to heed, but essential to our salvation!

25. 25 Watchmen in Zion “I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; They shall never hold their peace day or night.” (Isaiah 62:6)

26. 26 How will you react to God’s watchmen in Zion? Listen as they warn of sin & teach the way of salvation in truth?Listen as they warn of sin & teach the way of salvation in truth? Repent or refuse? (Jer. 6:17)Repent or refuse? (Jer. 6:17) May we all hear God’s watchmen & go up to Zion for the Lord’s salvation! (Jer. 31:6; Isa. 2:2-3)May we all hear God’s watchmen & go up to Zion for the Lord’s salvation! (Jer. 31:6; Isa. 2:2-3)